Systems and methods for assignment of equipment to an officer

ABSTRACT

A system for tracking, assigning, and issuing equipment to security agency personnel (e.g., officers, administration, command, armorer). An armorer is assigned the task of tracking, assigning, and issuing equipment. Equipment may be assigned to a particular individual officer. The equipment provided to and used by officers may capture (e.g. gather, produce) information (e.g. audiovisual information, data logs, recordings). Equipment may provide information to the armorer via near field communication (NFC) circuits. The information captured may be used alone or in combination with other information received and stored by an evidence management system. The information captured by equipment assigned to a particular individual may be associated with that individual. An armorer may use information supplied by equipment, evidence management system, officers, or other sources to assist in the assignment process.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system for tracking,assigning, and issuing equipment to officers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference tothe drawing, wherein like designations denote like elements, and:

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a system for tracking,assigning, and issuing equipment to an officer according to variousaspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of electronic messages communicated betweencomputers and equipment for tracking, assigning, and issuing equipmentto officers;

FIG. 3 is functional block diagram of the server of an evidencemanagement system as depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method for assigning and issuing equipmentto officers; and

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a computer used by an armorer toassign equipment to officers.

The numerical designators in the drawing indicate the following: 100:assignment system, 110: equipment, 112: memory, 114: processor, 116: NFCcommunication circuit, 118: communication link, 120: armorer, 130:armorer computer, 131: NFC communication circuit, 140: network, 142:communication link, 150: server, 152: evidence management system, 160:agency officer, 162: communication, 172: agency server, 174: memory,176: communication link, 200: assignment sequence, 210: process, 212:message, 214: message, 220: process, 222: message, 224: message, 230:process, 232: message, 234: message, 250: submission sequence, 252:message, 300: server, 310: communication circuit, 320: processingcircuit, 330: memory, 340: instructions, 350: agency, 352: agency, 354:agency, 360: video information, 362: recording device log information,364: CEW log information, 366: inventory information, 368: agencypersonnel, 370: assignment information, 400: method, 410: receive, 412:request, 414: receive, 416: instruct, 418: next, 420: detect, 422:request identifier, 424: receive identifier, 426: identification, 428:match, 430: time, 432: issue, 434: completion, 436: end, 438: fault,440: limit, 500: armorer computer, 510: communication circuit, 520:processing circuit, 530: memory, 540: NFC interface, 550: userinterface, 560: instructions, 562: personnel information, 564: equipmentidentifiers, 566: armorer information, and 568: equipment inventory.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

A security agency provides security to and administers the laws of ajurisdiction. A security agency may include personnel (e.g., officers,administration, command). Some personnel of an agency may patrol anarea, respond to calls for help from the populous, apprehend people whobreak the law, and investigate crimes. A security agency may issueequipment for performing the functions of the security agency. Equipmentthat may be issued to agency personnel include guns, CEWs, recordingdevices (e.g. cameras, infrared camera, microphones, GPS receiver,electronic compass, electronic gyroscope), holsters, radios, vehicularcomputers, smartphones, cellphones, and other devices for providingsecurity.

The process of tracking, assigning, and issuing equipment to agencypersonnel is laborious and time-consuming. Further, linking information(e.g., data) produced by equipment to an officer or to particularequipment makes the process of managing equipment even more difficult.It would be desirable to have a system for gathering information fromvarious sources for tracking, assigning, and issuing equipment.

The system of FIG. 1 is an example of a system that tracks, assigns, andissues equipment. The system of FIG. 1 further receives data fromequipment and links (e.g., ties, correlates) the information to anofficer and/or the specific equipment. Assignment system 100 performsthe functions of a system that tracks, assigns, and issues equipment,and links data from equipment. Assignment system 100 includes equipment110, armorer 120, armorer computer 130 (also referred to as computer130), network 140, server 150, evidence management system 152, agencyofficer 160, and agency server 172.

The components of assignment system 100 may communicate with each otherto track, and assign equipment. Assignment system 100 may furtherreceive data from equipment, store the data, and associate the data toequipment and the officer to whom the equipment is issued.

An evidence management system receives, provides, manages, and/or storesevidence. An evidence management system may store evidence for asecurity agency. Evidence may include information stored and/ormanipulated in digital form. Evidence may include audiovisualinformation and/or information from a CEW, a deployment unit, a holster,a vehicle, or other equipment. Evidence may be stored on servers andaccessed via a network. An evidence management system may include aserver to perform the functions of an evidence management system

For example, evidence management system 152 performs the functions of anevidence management system. Evidence management system 152 may includeserver 150. Server 150 may perform some or all of the functions ofevidence management system 152. Server 150 may control other electronicdevices to perform the functions of evidence management system 152.

A network enables electronic communications between electronic devices.Electronic device may exchange data (e.g., information) via a network. Anetwork may include nodes. Data may be transferred between nodes. Acommunication link (e.g., data link) permits the transfer of informationbetween nodes of the network. A communication link may include a wiredor wireless connection. A node of a network may include electronicdevices such as a server, a tablet device, a portable computer and/ormobile data terminal in a vehicle. An electronic device, including aserver, may provide and/or receive data via other nodes andcommunication links of the network.

For example, evidence management system 152, armorer computer 130,server 172, and equipment 110 may perform the functions of a node.Communications links may include communication links 118, 134, 142, and176.

Near field communication (NFC) is a method of short-range wirelesscommunication. Two devices with NFC communications circuits maycommunicate with each other via an NFC communication link when thedevices are brought into close proximity (e.g. a range of approximately2 inches) of each other. Equipment may include an NFC communicationcircuit to assist a process for assigning the equipment. Equipment mayfurther include a processing circuit and a memory. For example,equipment 110 may include memory 112, processor 114, and NFCcommunication circuit 116. Equipment 110 may communicate with network140 via communication link 118. Equipment 110 may further communicatewith armorer computer 130 via communication link 132.

Agency server 172 may provide information and perform functions to aid asecurity agency in performing its functions as discussed above. Agencyserver 172 may include memory 174. Server 172 may gather, store, provideinformation related to the agency and the personnel associated with theagency. Server 172 may communicate with network 140 via communicationlink 176.

Agency officer 160 may include personnel of an agency as discussedabove. An armorer is a member of the agency's personnel. An armorer isassigned the task of tracking, assigning, and issuing equipment. Anarmorer may track equipment of an agency. An armorer may assign andissue equipment to members of the agency, such as to officers of theagency. An armorer may visually verify the identity of officer prior toissuing equipment to the officer. For example, armorer 120 maycommunicate with officer 160. Communication 162 may include verifyingidentification. For example, armorer 120 may ask officer 160 to provideidentification. Armorer 120 may compare a photograph on theidentification information provided by officer 160 to officer 160 inperson to verify the identity of officer 160. Armorer 120 may compareofficer 160 while present in person to a photograph provided by theagency.

An armorer may use a computer to track, assign, and issue equipment. Thecomputer used by an armorer may include an NFC communication circuit.The NFC communication circuit of the computer used by the armorer maycommunicate with the NFC communication circuit of equipment. The NFCcommunication circuit of the computer used by the armorer may identifyequipment. An NFC communication circuit may receive an identificationnumber to identify equipment. The identification number may include aunique serial number. For example, armorer computer 130 may include NFCcommunication circuit 131. Armorer computer 130 may communicate withequipment via communication link 132.

The computer used by the armorer may request data regarding personnel ofthe agency. Data related to personnel at an agency may include uniqueidentifiers (e.g., employee number, badge number, personnel number) foreach person. Data related to personnel at an agency may include adescription of the role of each person at the agency. The data for eachperson at the agency may be used to identify the person, to determinethe type of equipment that should be issued to the person, and whetherequipment has been previously issued.

Equipment may capture (e.g., gather, produce) information (e.g., datalogs, recordings). Information captured by equipment may be transmittedto an evidence management system. The information captured by equipmentassigned to a particular individual may be associated with thatindividual. The information captured by equipment assigned to aparticular individual may be associated the agency of the individual. Anevidence management system may associate the information captured byequipment to the individual to whom the equipment is assigned and/or theagency to which the individual belongs. An evidence management systemmay associate the serial number of equipment to the personnel number ofa user.

Server 300 of FIG. 3 in an implementation of server 150 of evidencemanagement system 152. Server 300 may perform the functions of server150 discussed herein. Server 300 may include communication circuit 310,processing circuit 320, and memory 330. Memory 330 may include datastructures for storing instructions 340 and information for variousagencies 350 through 354. Processing circuit 320 may read and executeinstructions 340 to perform some or all of the functions of server150/300 and evidence management system 152. Communication circuit 310,processing circuit 320, memory 330, and evidence management system 152may perform the functions of a communication circuit, a processingcircuit, a memory, and an evidence management system respectively asdiscussed herein.

Information stored in the data structure for each agency (e.g. agency350, agency 352, agency 354) in memory 330 may include video information360, recording device log information 362, CEW log information 364,inventory information 366, agency personnel information 368, andequipment information 370. Video information 360 may include video datacaptured by a recording device, whether carried by an officer orpositioned in a vehicle. Recording device log information may includemetadata about the captured data. Agency personnel information 368 mayinclude identifiers of the personnel at the agency. Equipmentinformation 370 may include a data structure of all associations madebetween equipment information (e.g., equipment identifiers) andpersonnel information (e.g., personnel identifiers). Equipmentinformation may further include an inventory of the equipment of theagency.

Computer 500 is an implementation of armorer' computer 130. Computer 500may perform the functions of computer 130 discussed herein. Computer 500may include communication circuit 510, processing circuit 520, memory530, NFC interface 540, and user interface 550. Memory 530 may includedata structures for storing instructions 560, personnel information 562received from a server (e.g., server 150/300), equipment identifiers 564received from equipment 110 via an NFC communication link, armorerprovided information 566 regarding equipment and personnel as received(e.g., visual inspection) by the armorer, and equipment inventory 568provided by agency server 172 or evidence management server 152.Communication circuit 510, processing circuit 520, memory 530, NFCinterface 540, and user interface 550 perform the functions of acommunication circuit, a processing circuit, a memory, an NFC interface,and a user interface as discussed herein.

Agency server 172 may include some or all of the circuits and memory ofserver 300 and/or computer 500. For example, agency server 172 mayinclude communication circuit 510, processing circuit 520, userinterface 550, and memory 530. Memory of agency server 172 may storesuch information as personnel information, equipment identifiers,armorer information, and equipment inventory.

A processing circuit may provide and/or receive electrical signalswhether digital and/or analog in form. A processing circuit may provideand/or receive digital information via a conventional bus using anyconventional protocol. A processing circuit may receive information,manipulate the received information, and provide the manipulatedinformation. A processing circuit may store information and retrievestored information. A processing circuit may cooperate with a memory tostore and/or retrieve information. Information received, stored, and/ormanipulated by the processing circuit may be used to perform a function,control a function, and/or to execute a stored program.

A processing circuit may control the operation and/or function of othercircuits and/or components of a system. A processing circuit may receivestatus information regarding the operation of other components of asystem, perform calculations with respect to status information, andprovide commands (e.g., instructions) to one or more other componentsfor the component to start operation, continue operation, alteroperation, suspend operation, or cease operation.

In an implementation, processing circuit 320 acts in cooperation withcommunication circuit 310 to receive and transmit information via thenetwork. Information which may be manipulated and/or transmitted by theprocessor includes agency information stored in memory 330 such asinventory, agent personnel and assignment information.

In an implementation, processing circuit 520 cooperates withcommunication circuit 510 and NFC interface 540 in order to receive andtransmit information. Information retrieved via the network may beprocessed through communication circuit 510 and information provided byequipment may be processed through NFC connection. Information which maybe manipulated and/or transmitted by processing circuit 520 includesequipment identifiers, personnel information, armorer information andinventory.

The functions performed by a server may be performed by an engine. Theterm “engine” as used herein refers to, in general, circuitry, logicembodied in hardware and/or software instructions executable by aprocessing circuit, such as processing circuit 320. Circuitry includesany circuit and/or electrical/electronic subsystem for performing afunction. Logic embedded in hardware includes any circuitry thatperforms a predetermined operation or predetermined sequence ofoperations. Examples of logic embedded in hardware include standardlogic gates, application specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”),field-programmable gate arrays (“FPGAs”), microcell arrays, programmablelogic arrays (“PLAs”), programmable array logic (“PALs”), complexprogrammable logic devices (“CPLDs”), erasable programmable logicdevices (“EPLDs”), and programmable logic controllers (“PLCs”). Logicembodied in (e.g., implemented as) software instructions may be writtenin any programming language, including but not limited to C, C++, COBOL,JAVA™, PHP, Perl, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, VBScript, ASPX, HDL, and/orMicrosoft .NET™ programming languages such as C#. The software for anengine may be compiled into an executable program or written in aninterpreted programming language for execution by a suitable interpreteror virtual machine executed by a processing circuit. Engines may becallable (e.g., executable, controllable) from other engines or fromthemselves.

Generally, the engines described herein can be merged with otherengines, other applications, or may be divided into sub-engines. Enginesthat are implemented as logic embedded in software may be stored in anytype of computer-readable medium. An engine may be stored on andexecuted by one or more general purpose computers, thus creating aspecial purpose computer configured to perform the functions of (e.g.,provide) the engine.

The devices and systems illustrated herein may include one or moreprocessing circuits configured to perform the functions of one or moreengines.

In an implementation of server 150/300, a combination of one or more ofprocessing circuit 320, communication circuit 310, and memory 330 maycooperate to perform the functions of an engine. Functions performed bya server of an evidence management system may include receiving datafrom an agency server, receiving data regarding associations betweenequipment and personnel from an armorer computer. Functions of receivingdata may be performed by an engine on server 150.

Armorer computer 500 may include engines that perform one or morefunctions of the armorer computer. For example, an engine may performfunction 400. Communication circuit 510, processing circuit 520, memory530, NFC interface 540 and user interface 550 may cooperate to performthe functions of such an engine.

A memory may store instructions and data for a processing circuit. Aprocessing circuit may include an integrated (e.g., internal) memory. Amemory may be separate from a processing circuit. The contents of amemory may be static (e.g., non-volatile, SRAM, flash). The contents ofa memory may be dynamic (e.g., DRAM). A memory may include anyconventional technology (e.g., solid-state, magnetoresistive, resistive,ferroelectric). A memory may store information in a structure mannersuch as in a data structure.

A memory may store data in an organized manner such as in a datastructure. A memory that stores data may also be referred to as a datastore. A memory that includes a data structure may operate as a datastore.

As understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, a “data store” asdescribed herein may be any suitable device configured to store data foraccess by a processing circuit. A data store receives data. A data storeretains (e.g., stores) data. A data store retrieves data. A data storeprovides data for use by a system, such as an engine. A data store mayorganize data for storage.

A data store may organize data as a database for storage and/orretrieval. The operations of organizing data for storage in or retrievalfrom a database of a data store may be performed by a data store. A datastore may include a repository for persistently storing and managingcollections of data. A data store may store files that are not organizedin a database. Data in a data store may be stored in a system.

An example of a data store which includes reliable storage but also lowoverhead, is a file system or database management system that storesdata in files (or records) on a computer-readable medium such as flashmemory, random access memory (RAM), or hard disk drives.

One example of a data store suitable for use in server 172 and/or server150/300 is a highly reliable, high-speed relational database managementsystem (“RDBMS”) executing on one or more computing devices andaccessible over a high-speed network. However, any other suitablestorage technique and/or device capable of quickly and reliablyproviding the stored data in response to queries may be used, such as akey-value store and an object database.

Memory 330 and/or memory 530 may be implemented as a data store. Thedata shown in memory 330 and/or memory 530 may be stored in a databaseof a data store. For example, an association data store on server150/300 may contain information associating officer identifiers withequipment serial numbers. A data store may be implemented using anycomputer-readable medium. An engine may access data stores locally(e.g., via data bus), over a network, and/or as a cloud-based service.

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that separate datastores may be combined into a single data store, and/or a single datastore may be separated into multiple data stores.

A communication circuit transmits and/or receives information (e.g.,data). A communication circuit may transmit and/or receive (e.g.,communicate) information via a wireless link and/or a wired link. Acommunication circuit may communicate using wireless (e.g., radio,light, sound, vibrations) and/or wired (e.g., electrical, optical)mediums. A communication circuit may communicate using any wireless(e.g., Bluetooth, Zigbee, WAP, WiFi, NFC, IrDA) and/or wired (e.g., USB,RS-232, Firewire, Ethernet) communication protocols. A communicationcircuit may receive information from a processing circuit fortransmission. A communication circuit may provide received informationto a processing circuit.

A communication circuit in one device (e.g., armorer computer) maycommunicate with a communication circuit in another device (e.g.,equipment). Communications between two devices may permit the twodevices to cooperate in performing a function of either device.

In an implementation, communication circuit 310 and 510 communicate withother devices via network 140. In an implementation of server 172,server 172 includes a communication circuit for communicating with otherdevices via network 140.

A user interface may include one or more controls that permit a user tointeract and/or communicate with an electronic device. Via a userinterface, a user may control (e.g., influence, select) the operation(e.g., function) of an electronic device. A user interface may provideinformation to a user. A user may receive visual, haptic, and/or audibleinformation from a user interface. A user may receive visual informationvia devices that visually display (e.g., present, show) information(e.g., LCDs, LEDs, light sources, graphical and/or textual display,display, monitor, touchscreen). A user interface may include acommunication circuit for transmitting information to an electronicdevice (e.g., smart phone, tablet computer, laptop computer) forpresentation to a user.

In an implementation, user interface 550 may be used by the armorer toprovide or augment personnel identifiers during the assignment process.User interface 550 may include a keyboard and mouse combination, acomputer or tablet display, or an electronic device for swiping officerID cards and extracting the information thereof.

Equipment, an armorer's computer, and a server may perform functions andcommunicate with each other to assign the equipment to a user. Thefunctions may be performed and the information that may be communicatedbetween equipment 110, computer 130, server 150, and/or server 172 toassign equipment to a user is shown in assignment sequence 200 of FIG.2.

The process of assigning equipment to users may begin with process 210in which an armorer instructs computer 130 to request personnelidentifiers for the personnel of the agency. Responsive to theinstructions of process 210, computer 130 sends message 212 to server150 to request agency personnel information, for example, agencypersonnel information 368. Personnel information may include includespersonnel identifiers. Personnel identifiers may include badge number,social security number, employee number, picture, service record, rank,and whether particular equipment should be assigned. In anotherimplementation, message 212 may be sent to server 172 to requestpersonnel information.

Server 150 responds to message 212 by providing agency personnelinformation, such as agency personnel information 368. Agency personnelinformation may be provided via personnel response message 214. In theevent that message 212 was sent to agency server 172, message 214 willbe provided by agency server 172.

Upon receipt of message 214, computer 130 stores agency personnelinformation 368 in its memory. For example, computer 130 may storeagency personnel information 368 in a data structure in memory 530 aspersonnel information 562.

An armorer may receive information from officer 160, as discussed above,to verify the identity of the officer. The information received by thearmorer may be stored in memory 530 in personnel identifiers 562 or itmay be stored in a different data structure.

Computer 130 may request and server 150/172 may send additionalinformation to computer 130 such as inventory information 366, so thatthe armorer may have information as to the equipment that is availablefor assignment. The armorer may use inventory information 366 to verifythat all of the equipment assigned is identified as belonging to theagency.

After the computer 130 receives information, process 220 may determinewhether computer 130 detects an NFC connection (e.g., link) withequipment 110. Upon detection of a link, computer 130 may request theequipment to provide its serial number. The request for serial numbermay be sent via message 222. Equipment 110 may store information such asvideo information, audio information, data log, and/or a serial numberin memory 112. Equipment 110 may transmit its serial number to computer130 in message 224 via NFC link. Responsive to receiving the serialnumber, computer 130 may store the serial number from the equipment inmemory as equipment identifiers 564.

The assignment process continues with process 230, during which computer130 associates personnel identifiers previously received from server150/172 with the serial number received from equipment 110. Computer 130may further associate information received directly from officer 160with the serial number received from equipment 110. Associations made bycomputer 130 are transmitted in message 232 to server 150 and stored inassignment information 370. Message 234 confirms receipt of theassociations by server 150. The associations sent to the evidencemanagement system may be used to associate video captured by a recordingdevice that is assigned to an officer to the officer. The associationsmay be further sent to server 172; however, server 172 does not receivecaptured video, so server 172 does not associate video with a particularofficer.

As discussed above, equipment 110 may include electronic devices(smartphones, cellphones), recording devices, guns, CEW's, radios,computers, and other devices. Equipment may store captured (e.g.,recorded collected) evidence in memory 112. Evidence may includeaudiovisual information, data logs from CEW or gun, and otherinformation captured in the course of equipment use. Evidence may betransmitted to server 150 for storage in the evidence management system.

The process of submitting information to the evidence management systemmay begin with submission sequence 250 of FIG. 2. Evidence collected byequipment 110 is provided (e.g., submitted) to server 150 in one or moremessages 252. Transmission of information may be accomplished by anystandard wired or wireless communication protocol (e.g. Bluetooth, WiFi,3G, 4G, and LTE). Responsive to receipt of the information in message252, process 254 detects the serial number of the equipment thatprovided the captured information. Using the serial number of thecaptured information and the association information in equipmentinformation 370, server 150 may associate the submitted information withthe equipment 110 and/or the personnel associated with equipment 110.

An implementation of a method for receiving information, providinginformation, and associating equipment with an officer is provided asmethod 400. The processing circuit of computer 130 may execute a seriesof instructions to perform method 400. The instructions may be stored inmemory 530 as instructions 560. The processes (e.g., functions) of amethod may be performed serially and/or in parallel. A process of amethod may start execution upon receiving sufficient information toperform the function (e.g., operation) of the process. One process mayproduce (e.g., calculate, generate) information that may be provided toanother process. Information may be provided between or to a process viaa stack or other conventional manner for providing data. The order ofmany of the processes shown in method 400 may be changed and stillaccomplish the same result.

Method 400 may include processes receive 410, request 412, receive 414,instruct 416, next 418, detect 420, request identifier 422, receiveidentifier 424, identification 426, match 428, time 430, issue 432,completion 434, end 436, fault 438, limit 440.

Execution of receive 410 receives information and/or a command from anarmorer. An armorer may provide the information and/or command via userinterface 550. User interface may include any conventional equipment(e.g., keyboard, mouse, touch screen) for a user to provide informationto a computer. The information and/or command received in processreceive 410 instructs computer 140 to request personnel information fromthe server 150/300 of evidence management system 152 from agency server172. Execution moves to request 412.

Execution of request 412 requests personnel information. Personnelinformation includes personnel identifiers stored in agency personnelinformation 368 on server 150/300 of evidence management system 152.Personnel information may also be stored on and provided by server 172.The message requesting the personnel information may be transmitted vianetwork 140. Execution moves to receive 414.

Execution of receive 414 receives the personnel information from server150/300 or server 172. The information received may be stored inpersonnel information 562 on the armorer's computer. Personnelinformation may be received via network 140. Execution moves to instruct416.

Execution of instruct 416 receives an instruction from the armorer tostart the equipment assignment process. The armorer may additionallyprovide security credentials or other passwords to start the assignmentprocess. Execution moves to next 418.

Execution of next 418 requests the armorer to provide the personnelidentifier of the next officer to be equipped. The armorer may receivethe officer identifier by inputting manually, swiping an officer IDcard, selecting the identifier from a downloaded (e.g. generated) list,or by other means. For security, the armorer may visually verify anofficer's identity in the process of receiving the officer identifier. Apersonnel identifier may include one or more identifiers. Executionmoves to detect 420.

Execution of detect 420 detects whether an NFC connection (e.g., link)between the equipment to be issued to the officer and the armorer'scomputer exists. In the event that an NFC link does not exist, detect420 attempts to establish the link. If an NFC connection exists,execution moves to request identifier 422. If no NFC connection exists,execution loops back to detect 420 to attempt to establish the NFC link.Execution of detect 420 may attempt to establish the NFC link apredetermined number of times before determining that a link cannot beestablished. If a link cannot be established, computer 130/500 informsthe armorer and takes an appropriate action. The assignment process maynot proceed via an NFC until NFC connection is made. In an alternatemethod, the equipment identifier may be entered by the armorer intocomputer 130/500 manually.

Execution of request identifier 422 requests that the equipmentidentifier (e.g., serial number) of the equipment be transmitted by NFCto the armorer's computer. Equipment identifiers may be stored in memory112 of the equipment. Execution moves to receive identifier 424.

Execution of receive identifier 424 receives the equipment identifierand stores it memory 530 of the armorer's computer in data structureequipment identifiers 564. Execution moves to identification 426.

Execution of identification 426 determines whether an officer identifierhas been provided by the armorer. If an officer identifier has beenreceived, execution moves to match 428. If an officer identifier has notbeen received, execution moves to time 430.

Execution of time 430 provides a waiting period that allows the armorerto input the personnel information. The waiting period prior to time-outmay vary between agencies. The time-out is a security measure that mayprevent unauthorized access to the assignment system at an unattendedcomputer. Upon failure to provide the identifier, the assignment processtimes out and will restart with execution returning to instruct 416.

Execution of match 428 determines whether personnel information providedby the armorer matches personnel information provided by server 150/300or server 172. If the personnel information submitted to the computer bythe armorer matches the personnel information provided by the server,execution moves to issue 432. If the personnel information does notmatch any personnel information provided by the server, execution movesto fault 438.

Execution of issue 432 associates the personnel information with theequipment identifier. Associating the personnel information with theequipment identifier establishes that the officer has control of theequipment. Having control of the equipment by a single officer meansthat the data provided by the equipment is associated with the officer.As data from equipment is upload into evidence management system 152(e.g., submission sequence 250), the data may be associated with theofficer to whom the equipment was issued. The data may also beassociated with the agency of the officer. The data from the equipmentmay be further associated with other data related to the officer and thetime of day the data was captured. Additional data may be provided by acomputer-aided dispatch system that dispatches officers to incidentsand/or from a records management system that manages the records createdwith respect to the officer and/or an incident.

In the situation where equipment is shared by several officers, theissue process may be performed prior to starting a shift so that thedata during the time duration of the shift may be associated with theofficer to whom the equipment was issued for the shift.

Execution of issue 432 further instructs the armorer to issue theequipment to the officer. The armorer may physically issue the equipmentor may issue permission for the officer to use the equipment. Thearmorer may issue equipment immediately or for retrieval at a specificdate. Execution moves to completion 434.

Execution of completion 434 determines whether the issuing process hasbeen completed. If all desired equipment has been issued, executionmoves to end 436 where the issuing process concludes. If the armorerwishes to assign more equipment, execution loops back to next 418.

Execution of fault 438 identifies the mismatch between the personnelinformation provided by the armorer and the personnel informationprovided by the server to the armorer. Execution moves to limit 440.

Execution of limit 440 determines whether the permissible number ofattempts for matching the armorer provided information to the serverprovided information has been exceeded. The maximum number of attemptsmay be put in place for security purposes and may differ betweenagencies. If the attempt limit has been exceeded, execution loops backto next 418. If the attempt limit has not been exceeded, executionreturns to identification 426.

Execution of end 436 marks the end of the assignment process on thearmorer's computer.

Once the assignment process has finish, the information that associatespersonnel information of a particular officer to equipment informationof particular equipment is transferred to evidence management system152. Evidence management system 152 may store the associate informationin data structure 370 on server 150/300. The associations from datastructure 370 may be used to associated data from equipment to anofficer as discussed above.

The foregoing description discusses preferred embodiments of the presentinvention, which may be changed or modified without departing from thescope of the present invention as defined in the claims. Examples listedin parentheses may be used in the alternative or in any practicalcombination. As used in the specification and claims, the words‘comprising’, ‘comprises’, ‘including’, ‘includes’, ‘having’, and ‘has’introduce an open ended statement of component structures and/orfunctions. In the specification and claims, the words ‘a’ and ‘an’ areused as indefinite articles meaning ‘one or more’. When a descriptivephrase includes a series of nouns and/or adjectives, each successiveword is intended to modify the entire combination of words preceding it.For example, a black dog house is intended to mean a house for a blackdog. While for the sake of clarity of description, several specificembodiments of the invention have been described, the scope of theinvention is intended to be measured by the claims as set forth below.In the claims, the term “provided” is used to definitively identify anobject that not a claimed element of the invention but an object thatperforms the function of a workpiece that cooperates with the claimedinvention. For example, in the claim “an apparatus for aiming a providedbarrel, the apparatus comprising: a housing, the barrel positioned inthe housing”, the barrel is not a claimed element of the apparatus, butan object that cooperates with the “housing” of the “apparatus” by beingpositioned in the “housing”. The invention includes any practicalcombination of the structures and methods disclosed. While for the sakeof clarity of description several specifics embodiments of the inventionhave been described, the scope of the invention is intended to bemeasured by the claims as set forth below.

The words “herein”, “hereunder”, “above”, “below”, and other word thatrefer to a location, whether specific or general, in the specificationshall refer to any location in the specification.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a server configured toprovide personnel information comprising a plurality of personnelidentifiers, each personnel identifier of the plurality of personnelidentifiers comprising a unique identifier associated with a respectiveperson of an agency; a plurality of cameras, each camera of theplurality of cameras configured to be carried by an officer orpositioned in a vehicle; and an electronic device comprising a userinterface, the electronic device configured to perform operationscomprising: receiving the personnel information from the server;receiving a first equipment identifier, wherein the first equipmentidentifier identifies a first camera of the plurality of cameras; inaccordance with the personnel information, receiving, via the userinterface, a first selection of a first personnel identifier of thepersonnel information, the first personnel identifier associated with afirst person of the agency; and associating the first equipmentidentifier with the first personnel identifier to generate firstequipment assignment information, the first equipment assignmentinformation comprising the first equipment identifier and the firstpersonnel identifier to thereby assign the first camera to the firstperson.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic devicecomprises a communication circuit and the operations further comprise:transmitting, via the communication circuit, the first equipmentassignment information via a network.
 3. The system of claim 2, whereinthe operations further comprise: requesting, via the communicationcircuit, the personnel information from the server; and responsive tothe requesting, receiving the personnel information from the server. 4.The system of claim 3, wherein receiving the first equipment identifiercomprises receiving the first equipment identifier from the firstcamera.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the electronic devicecomprises a display and the operations further comprise presenting thepersonnel information via the display, and wherein receiving the firstselection comprises receiving the first selection in accordance withpresenting the personnel information via the display.
 6. The system ofclaim 5, wherein presenting the personnel information via the displaycomprises presenting a list of the plurality of personnel identifiersvia the display.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein receiving the firstselection further comprises: receiving an officer identifier;determining whether the officer identifier matches the personnelinformation; and in accordance with determining whether the officeridentifier matches the personnel information, determining the officeridentifier matches the first personnel identifier.
 8. The system ofclaim 7, wherein the unique identifier of the first personnel identifiercomprises a badge number of the first person.
 9. The system of claim 8,wherein the operations further comprise: receiving equipment inventoryinformation as to equipment that is available for assignment, whereinthe equipment inventory information includes the first equipmentidentifier; and providing the equipment inventory information from theelectronic device for use by a user of the electronic device.
 10. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein receiving the first equipment identifiercomprises receiving the first equipment identifier via a near fieldcommunication link with the first camera.
 11. The system of claim 8,wherein the operations further comprise: in accordance with theassociating, determining whether an issuing process has been completed;in accordance with determining whether the issuing process has beencompleted, concluding the issuing process when the issuing process isdetermined to be completed; and in accordance with determining whetherthe issuing process has been completed, assigning a second camera of theplurality of cameras when the issuing process is determined to not becompleted.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein assigning the secondcamera further comprises: receiving a second equipment identifier fromthe second camera; in accordance with receiving the personnelinformation, receiving, via the user interface, a second selection of asecond personnel identifier of the personnel information, the secondpersonnel identifier associated with a second person of the agency; andassociating the second equipment identifier with the second personnelidentifier to generate second equipment assignment information, thesecond equipment assignment information comprising the second equipmentidentifier and the second personnel identifier to thereby assign thesecond camera to the second person.
 13. The system of claim 8, whereinthe server is further configured to: receive audiovisual informationcaptured by the first camera; receive the first equipment assignmentinformation via the network; and associate the audiovisual informationwith the first personnel identifier in accordance with the firstequipment assignment information.
 14. A non-transitory computer-readablemedium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by anelectronic device, cause the electronic device to perform operationscomprising: requesting, via a communication circuit of the electronicdevice, personnel information from an agency server of an agency; inaccordance with the requesting, receiving, via the communicationcircuit, a plurality of personnel identifiers from the agency server;receiving an identification number from a camera; in accordance with theplurality of personnel identifiers, receiving, via a user interface ofthe electronic device, an officer identifier associated with a firstperson of the agency, wherein the officer identifier matches a personnelidentifier of the plurality of personnel identifiers; and correlatingthe identification number with the first personnel identifier togenerate equipment assignment information, the equipment assignmentinformation comprising the identification number and the first personnelidentifier to thereby assign the camera to the first person.
 15. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein theoperations further comprise presenting, via a display of the electronicdevice, a list of the plurality of personnel identifiers, and whereinreceiving the officer identifier comprises receiving the officeridentifier in accordance with the list of the plurality of personnelidentifiers.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim15, wherein receiving the officer identifier comprises determiningwhether the officer identifier matches any personnel identifier of theplurality of personnel identifiers; and in accordance with determiningwhether the officer identifier matches any personnel identifier of theplurality of personnel identifiers, determining the officer identifiermatches the first personnel identifier.
 17. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the first personnelidentifier comprises: a badge number for the first person; and aninformation usable to identify whether equipment has been previouslyissued for the first person.
 18. An electronic device, comprising: auser interface comprising a display; a communication circuit; aprocessing circuit; and a non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium storing executable instructions that, when executed by theprocessing circuit, cause the processing circuit to perform operationscomprising: requesting, via the communication circuit, personnelinformation from an agency server of an agency; in accordance with therequesting, receiving, via the communication circuit, a plurality ofunique personnel identifiers from the agency server, wherein theplurality of unique personnel identifiers includes a first personnelidentifier; presenting, via the display, a list of the plurality ofunique personnel identifiers; receiving an equipment identifier from acamera; in accordance with presenting the list of the plurality ofunique personnel identifiers, receiving, via the user interface, anofficer identifier associated with a first person of the agency, whereinthe officer identifier matches the first personnel identifier; andcorrelating the equipment identifier with the first personnel identifierto generate equipment assignment information, wherein the equipmentassignment information comprises the equipment identifier and the firstpersonnel identifier to thereby assign the camera to the first person,and wherein the first personnel identifier comprises a badge number ofthe first person.
 19. The electronic device of claim 18, wherein theoperations further comprise: receiving, via the communication circuit,equipment inventory information, wherein the equipment inventoryinformation includes the equipment identifier; and providing, via theuser interface, the equipment inventory information from the electronicdevice, wherein the equipment inventory information indicates equipmentthat is available for assignment.
 20. The electronic device of claim 19,wherein receiving the officer identifier comprises: determining whetherthe officer identifier matches the plurality of unique personnelidentifiers; and in accordance with determining whether the officeridentifier matches the plurality of unique personnel identifiers,determining the officer identifier matches the first personnelidentifier.